Question regarding the Union Jack Voyager

[Unknown74]

Hi guys just wanted to know, has the Union Jack Airbus A.330 actually carried many VIP Passengers yet? Has anyone like Boris used it yet? Only ever heard about it refuelling Jets.

[TonyO]

Boris was supposed to use it to go to India, but that trip was cancelled. He and other ministers appear to be using the Titan A321s now for most journeys.

[mazdarod]

Prince Charles used this aircraft ZZ336 for his visit to Greece 24/25 March.

[big john]

The Lefty's have decided it's not politically correct to wear a Union Jack, so probably won't be used a lot.

[Alf]

The Lefty's have decided it's not politically correct to wear a Union Jack, so probably won't be used a lot.

Did you read that in the Daily Mail? And its the Union Flag not the Union Jack (unless its on a ship).. I don't think A330s sail very well.

[acw367]

Hi guys just wanted to know, has the Union Jack Airbus A.330 actually carried many VIP Passengers yet? Has anyone like Boris used it yet? Only ever heard about it refuelling Jets.

All answered in this Parliamentary Question from March.
https://questions-statements.parliament ... -08/164372

34 times so far. This is only used for the longhaul trips which were curtailed in 2020 by COVID. With use by the Royals (Prince Charles) and Prime Minister in roughly equal measure.

32 Sqn 146 do the short haul and the RAF are finishing this shorthaul role, as the 146 retire next year and the Cabinet Office/Chancellor Duchy of Lancaster have taken responsibilty for the Titan A321.

[Nighthawke]

Is there "anyone like Boris"?

[Agent K]

The Lefty's have decided it's not politically correct to wear a Union Jack, so probably won't be used a lot.

Can you keep your right wing flag shagging nonsense and fake news off this site please, it’s usually nice and free of such drivel.

[roughcutter]

I think it's an awful scheme anyway, looks too much like a holiday jet. It would have looked much cooler in (retro) RAF Transport Command markings, like the 10 Sqn VC-10s were originally marked up in

[Bucky P]

I think it's an awful scheme anyway, looks too much like a holiday jet. It would have looked much cooler in (retro) RAF Transport Command markings, like the 10 Sqn VC-10s were originally marked up in

Totally agree!

[POL]

All answered in this Parliamentary Question from March.
https://questions-statements.parliament ... -08/164372

34 times so far. This is only used for the longhaul trips which were curtailed in 2020 by COVID. With use by the Royals (Prince Charles) and Prime Minister in roughly equal measure.

I'm guessing that the original question in this thread was really how many times since it was repainted, for which the answer is a staggering....once.

The only positive on that single use was it was also used as a tanker during the same trip, thus saving us the money of sending two aircraft to Greece for a weekend! Shame that won't happen on any other trips.

[mudcity]

I think the issue has been Covid which has stopped virtually all government trips.
Wait until travel is allowed again and then you can get a more accurate gauge on how much the Voyager is used.

[DavieB]

I think the issue has been Covid which has stopped virtually all government trips.
Wait until travel is allowed again and then you can get a more accurate gauge on how much the Voyager is used.

May be true but the UKs latest jet - Titan's A321 (G-XATW) - is currently heading east over the Far East so government trips are obviously still on in some way. Given the distance I would have thought that would have suited a Voyager far better than an A321.

[Sparts99]

Well said Agent K

[Nighthawke]

The A.321 XLR version has far better range than older versions so adequate for the task.

[DavieB]

The A.321 XLR version has far better range than older versions so adequate for the task.

"..better range than older models" - true. But still not a patch on the A330 - the Titan A321 has just landed in Viet Nam having night stopped and re-fuelled in Dubai. A330 could have done that in one hop.

[TonyO]

The A.321 XLR version has far better range than older versions so adequate for the task.

One slight correction, the XLR model A321neo hasn't flown yet, Titan's jets are A321neoLRs.

[Nighthawke]

Thanks, sorry getting my versions mixed. Still up to the job which is obviously why it's flying the route. Guess they know better than hobbyists what's needed!

[tm74sqn]

I think the issue has been Covid which has stopped virtually all government trips.
Wait until travel is allowed again and then you can get a more accurate gauge on how much the Voyager is used.

Since re-paint (in June 2020) ZZ336 has, as far as I know, been used very few (wo or three?) times to carry VIPs. However it has been used in its AAR role for lots more missions - unfortunately I haven't the time to work out how many!

[Alf]

I think the issue has been Covid which has stopped virtually all government trips.
Wait until travel is allowed again and then you can get a more accurate gauge on how much the Voyager is used.

Since re-paint (in June 2020) ZZ336 has, as far as I know, been used very few (wo or three?) times to carry VIPs. However it has been used in its AAR role for lots more missions - unfortunately I haven't the time to work out how many!

But June 2020 was mid covid.. the real rate of use will be seen from next year onwards at least (maybe).